Dougherty Valley attorney David Harmer, businesswoman and autism research lobbyist Elizabeth Emken of Danville, Clements winegrape grower Brad Goehring and former U.S. Marshall Tony Amador of Lodi have all agreed to pursue repeal of the legislation if elected.

Critics say signing these pledges amount to an abdication of elected officials’ responsibility to make independent decisions and contributes to the paralyzing, uncompromising partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C.

For the most part, the repeal pledge is more about politics than practice. It’s unlikely that any of these District 11 candidates, if elected, will have the chance to vote on a repeal unless Republicans take control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. And even then, President Barack Obama would very likely veto such legislation.

Any candidate who obseqiously signs away his or her right and responsibility to act independently and hands over the decision-making to the likes of Grover Norquist is off my Christmas Card list. Have a little pride folks. The idea of making a “PLEDGE” to anybody but the voters, especially to somebody who doesn’t even live here, is insulting. Even if you agree with every word Chairman Grover says and don’t see even the remotest possibility that you might encounter circumstances that would cause you to adjust your thinking, why would you want to grovel like that? Wimps!

Steven S.

John…don’t be a hipster doofus…it’s about showing where you stand. If they don’t agree, they don’t sign. It’s a line in the sand that if they cross, they show themselves patently to be liars.

Although, I understand your position. Why would you want them to have their scruples held to accountability since you’re just some agent provocateur and hold none yourself?

Get out much, Mr. Democrat? Oh, and stuff your Christmas card…doofus.

RR, Uninvited Columnist

Decent men and women are astonished when they win elections; SOBs are rarely surprised by the results.